CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

A crime occurs when someone breaks the law by an overt act, omission,

or neglect that can result in punishment. A person who has violated a law, or has

breached a rule, is said to have committed a criminal offense. (Montaldo, 2021)

Crime prevention is very important tooling managing and controlling crime

in an area by analyzing the spatial and temporal data provided by the maps.

Investigators are able to understand the crime patterns and trends. It also helps

in resource allocation and in geographic profiling of criminals and suspicious

locations. On the other hand, the paper brings out various advantages and

disadvantages that crime come in with use of crime mapping into details.

(Papets, 2018). In some population and in some periods, the prevalence of crime

is much greater than in other populations and other time periods. Criminologists

have made significant process in both identifying the risk factors that seem to

relate to higher rates of offending and in constructing plausible explanatory

theories that can potentially account for the patterns that are found (Durrant and

Ward, 2015).

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and

community policing. CPTED programs, through design and management of the

physical environment of buildings, residential neighborhoods, and business

areas, increase public safety and reduce fear of crime. Community policing
programs, by making police more visible and familiar to the people and with the

physical environment of their beats, reinforce these efforts and promote police-

citizen partnerships to prevent crime and disorder.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Directorate for

Investigation and Detective Management, Illegal drug trade, human trafficking,

murder, corruption, and domestic violence remain significant concerns. In the

Philippines, the Republic Act No. 3815 of the Revised Penal Code of the

Philippines serves as the supreme law that defines criminal offenses and

provides the penalties for the commission of such crimes (Robles, 2015) In the

study conducted by Vicente, et.al. (2020) entitled “Community Crime Prevention:

The Case of Barangays in the Northern Philippines”, they found out that there are

three (3) main interventions being implemented. These are regular patrolling,

establishment of checkpoints, and conduct of seminars. Crime destroys life in

many ways. It restricts movement, thereby impeding access to possible

employment and educational opportunities. It also discourages the accumulation

of assets. As crime makes individuals risk-averse it retards entrepreneurial and

other economic activity.

A pandemic is defined as “an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very

wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number

of people”. (Bull World Health Organ, 2011) The definition of crime rate is the

number of crimes recorded in order to evaluate the success of a crime control

strategy and its effects on the risk of becoming a victim of crime. We think that

determining the level of crime in a specific location can aid our government or the
authorities in determining how to deal with these kinds of crimes and whether the

local police force is effectively serving as our society's protector.

But as of February 2022, about 27.2 thousand crime incidents were

recorded in the Philippines. About seven thousands of which were reported in the

National Capital Region while over four thousand incidents were from region 4-A.

Crime incidents include both focus and non-focus crimes. While the crime rate in

Central Luzon fell by 13.04 percent in the first quarter of this year. According to

PRO-Central Luzon Director Brigadier General Matthew Baccay, crimes in the

region been cut down by 1, 328 cases from January to March 2022, compared to

the same period in 2021.

The study was specifically conceptualized to know the effectiveness of

crime prevention Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

Review of Related Literature

Foreign

Amhara National Regional State (ANRS) is often cited as a model in

community policing in Ethiopia. However, it is impossible to get statistics on its

effectiveness in the region though its role in improving communities’ access to

policing services, assisting in reducing crime and providing the state with more

effective surveillance of the population is apparent. In Amhara, a regional

community policing strategy was developed by the Amhara National Regional

Police Commission in 2005 and, based on this; community sensitization was

conducted about the importance of passing information onto police. Community

policing training was integrated into Amhara Regional Police training (although

this appeared to involve one lecture on community policing for officers)

In 2010 this training was to be extended with the support of a Canadian

police consultant who assisted the Amhara Police Commission in developing a

new curriculum but it is unclear whether this curriculum has in fact been

implemented. They have indicated the presence of 11 zones; 140 wored as and

approximately 3,429 kebeles (In rural areas, usually the lowest administrative

level but in urban areas with higher population density, can be further broken into

centers, ketenas and blocks).

According to Jerin and Moriarty (2020), the issue of dealing with crime is

fundamental to efforts to improve individuals' standard of living. Policies and

initiatives can aim to lessen the negative implications of violent acts by

attempting to reduce the number of crimes committed or the damage caused by

crime. The process of collection and assimilation of data from crime victims

during their initial involvement in the criminal justice system can play a significant

role in such methods and in developing successive actions taken in the criminal

justice system. As a result, understanding how professionals' actions are

interpreted in such critical circumstances can be highly beneficial in preventing

crime. According to research on the outlooks of crime victims, several aspects of

first contact can influence subsequent steps, such as resisting the temptation to
progress within the justice system and coping with daily life after a traumatic

incident.

Also, as highlighted by Van Camp and Wemmers (2020), the significance

of impartiality, honesty, dignity, and speech in the handling of criminal situations

for equality and perceived fairness. When communicating with citizens who've

been subjected to crime, police officers must act unbiasedly and objectively.

Respect is simple and pertains to attempting to make a citizen feel like an

appreciated member of society, whereas speech refers to the victim's chances to

be included and heard during the justice system's processes. In the context of an

initial contact situation, "voice" refers to the victim's ability to be heard and

included when giving their initial testimony. Another critical issue is how police

officers' behaviors are interpreted in various contact situations.

Community policing was first introduced in London by Metropolitan Police

District. The UK parliament longed to discourse the rising criminality percentage

in and round the homeland’s city when it was growing. Citizens were to be

familiar with each other and this was to enable them to recognize suspicious

persons or crime activity. The citizens were also able to communicate with the

police in case of any incident. This greatly helped to discourage offenders from

committing crimes in the neighborhood (Electric law Library 2018). According to

The INews Network (2019), crimes go unreported for various reasons, whether

it’s from fear of reporting the crimes or from a fear that the police can’t help. It

can even be simple things like family matters that would prevent someone from

reporting crimes.
 Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) is one of the

most popular urban planning strategies for improving safety in cities. The major

purpose of CPTED is to deter potential criminals by modifying urban

environments. It is based on the urban design and environmental psychology

belief that human behavior can be influenced by the surrounding environment

(Cozens, P.M et al, 2015). CPTED is often used to renovate declining

neighborhoods that suffer from crime. For example, local governments in Korea

have carried out urban regeneration projects to improve the physical environment

of low-rise neighborhoods. Since most deteriorated neighborhoods in Korea

suffer from high crime rates (Kim, D.-K 2014), neighborhood restoration projects

generally incorporate CPTED to reduce crime and fear of crime and, thus,

improve social sustainability for residents. However, the effectiveness of CPTED

implementation is still disputed.

Jacobs’s famous idea of “eyes on the street” influenced the concept of

natural surveillance (Jacobs 2013). According to this idea, the safest urban place

is one that is continuously watched by human beings. Oscar Newman and his

“defensible space” research confirmed and further developed this notion

(Newman, O. 2014). In his empirical study on American housing projects, he

found that crimes more likely occurred in spaces that were invisible to residents.

He argued that buildings and community designs that encouraged natural

surveillance, especially by their own residents, were critical for deterring crime.

Territoriality was also applied in urban planning and design by Jacobs and

subsequently by Newman. According to this concept, a place with a close-knit

social network can develop voluntary community guardianship. A place that is

continuously controlled by its own residents, who share a sense of community,

can be more effective than police enforcement (Jacobs 2013). Newman

(Newman, O. 2014) insisted that residents’ territorial attitude could act as an

effective deterrent to potential crimes and that a semi-public community space

surrounded by residential buildings would be important for developing

territoriality.

According to the study of Inzunza (2022), “The significance of victim

ideality in interactions between crime victims and police officers”, the study

revealed a need to improve response time and indicated that perceived

helpfulness in terms of providing information was the most important factor for

satisfaction. Women were found to be more satisfied than men among victims;

this was suggested to be due to the police officers' form and tone when

interacting with female victims.

Local

In the Philippines, the Revised Penal Code (Republic Act No. 3815)

serves as the basic law that defines criminal offenses and provides the penalties

for the commission of such. It defined crime as an act committed or omitted in

violation of a law forbidding or commanding it and for which a punishment is

imposed upon conviction. Crime is further divided into index and non-index

crimes. Index crimes, as defined by the Philippine National Police (PNP) involves

crimes against persons such as murder, homicide, physical injury and rape, and
crimes against property such as robbery, theft, carnapping/carjacking, and cattle

rustling. Non-index crimes, on the other hand, are violations of special laws such

as illegal logging, or local ordinances.

The study “Human Trafficking in the Philippines: Victim Acquisition and

Exit Strategies” by Gross (2017) published under dedication to Philippine

Department of Social Welfare and Development, not only will victims be hesitant

to disclose victimization due to their fear of law enforcement, but also because of

trauma and shame. Victims' unwillingness to divulge their involvement with

human trafficking makes it difficult for social workers, healthcare providers, and

law enforcement to effectively give them the treatment they require.

In the study conducted by Vicente, et.al. (2020) entitled “Community

Crime Prevention: The Case of Barangays in the Northern Philippines”, they

found out that there are three (3) main interventions being implemented. These

are regular patrolling, establishment of checkpoints, and conduct of seminars.

The study “The Current Situation of Crime Associated with Urbanization:

Problems Experienced and Countermeasures Initiated in the Philippines”

conducted by Sanidad-Leones (2010), concluded that developing and

maintaining safe communities, be they urban or rural, is central to the issue of

good governance. An indicator of success of crime prevention programs are their

perceived effects on peace and order. It is important that the public must have a

feeling of safety in their community where they can walk along the streets

anytime of the day, enjoy their family and social environment, and participate in

community activities without fear for their life and property.

Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

1.1 Socio Demographic

1. Effectiveness
1.2 Age
2. Challenges
1.3 Gender
3. Propose
1.4 Civil Status Recommendation

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 illustrates the independent variables about the Crime prevention

strategies used by the Cabanatuan City Police. The dependent variable includes

the effectiveness of these strategies, measured by outcomes like crime rate

reduction or improved safety. It also exemplifies the relationship between the

dependent and independent variables.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to know the effectiveness of Cabanatuan City Police in

Crime prevention strategies assessment. Specifically, it aimed to

1. How may the Socio - Demographic profile be described in terms of:
1.1 Age
1.2. Gender
1.3 Civil Status

2. What is the level of effectiveness of crime prevention in Camp Tinio,

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

3. What are the challenges faced by Law enforcer in maintaining the crime
prevention?

4.What strategies can be recommended to improve police visibility and enhance

crime prevention efforts?

Scope and Delimitation

The study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of the Cabanatuan City

Police in implementing crime prevention programs and strategies at Campo

Tinio, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. It aims to assess the extent to which the

police's initiatives reduce crime, improve public safety, and foster positive

community relationships.

While the study seeks to provide a thorough evaluation of crime

prevention efforts, certain limitations are established to maintain focus and

feasibility.

Significance of the Study

 This study will be significant to all the PNP personnels in Cabanatuan City,

Nueva Ecija, specially to these people:

Philippine National Police. Improved Crime Prevention Strategies, the study

can provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of current crime

prevention strategies, helping the PNP refine their approaches and enhance

public safety.

Public Trust and Relationship, understanding community feedback could help

foster better police-community relationships and build trust, which is crucial for

effective policing.

Local Government Unit. The study will benefit the Cabanatuan City LGU by

providing a detailed analysis of how local crime prevention policies are being

implemented and perceived by the public.

University. For academic institutions, particularly universities and institutes

within Cabanatuan City and Nueva Ecija, this study can serve as a reference for

criminology and public administration programs.

Institute. Universities and institutes can collaborate with law enforcement

agencies to create more community-based research studies, bridging theory and

practice.

Dean. enhancing academic reputation, informing curriculum development,

fostering research excellence, strengthening community engagement, supporting

policy development, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, attracting funding,

enhancing development opportunities, improving institutional strategies, and

contributing to public discourse.

Faculty. Faculty members could use the study as a resource in their teaching

and discussions on public safety, crime prevention, and community policing so

that students can gain a better understanding of real-world applications of crime

prevention strategies, and it could serve as a reference for thesis and

dissertation projects.

Students. For students, especially in criminology, sociology, or public

administration, the study provides real-world examples of how community

involvement and police work intersect.

Researcher. Foundation for Future Studies, researchers will have a basis for

exploring more detailed or specific areas of crime prevention, such as community

engagement, police training, or public policy impacts.

Future Researcher. Guidance for replication or expansion, future researchers

can use this study as a foundation for their own work, whether replicating it in

other locations or expanding its scope to cover different aspects of law

enforcement.

Definition of Terms

Effectiveness. refers to the degree to which crime prevention strategies achieve

their intended outcomes. This can be measured through various indicators such
as a reduction in crime rates, increased community safety, improved public

perception of safety, or the successful implementation of specific crime reduction

tactics.

Community. refers to the group of residents living in Cabanatuan City, including

various neighborhoods, local organizations, and businesses. In the context of this

study, it may specifically refer to those who are directly affected by or involved in

crime prevention efforts, including community members, local leaders, and

stakeholders.

Crime Prevention. refers to strategies and actions taken to reduce the

occurrence of crime and enhance public safety. This can include a range of

measures such as increased police patrols, community outreach programs,

surveillance systems, and crime prevention workshops.

Crime. refers to any act that is deemed illegal by local, state, or national laws

and that is punishable by the legal system.

Policing. refers to the activities and responsibilities undertaken by law

enforcement agencies, such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), to maintain

public order, enforce laws, and prevent crime. This includes patrolling

neighborhoods, conducting investigations, responding to incidents, and engaging

in community relations.
 CHAPTER II
RESEARCH METHOD AND PROCEDURE

This study will use a quantitative research method to comprehensively

evaluate the effectiveness of crime prevention measures implemented by the

Cabanatuan City Police Station. The quantitative approach allows for a more

robust understanding of the situation by quantifying perceptions through surveys.

Research Design

The study will employ a descriptive research design using quantitative

approaches. Data will be collected from multiple sources to assess the

effectiveness of crime prevention efforts from both statistical and community

perception perspectives.

Locale and Sampling Procedure

 A structured questionnaire will be developed to gather quantitative data at

Campo Tinio, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija on community members’

perceptions of the effectiveness of Cabanatuan City Police crime prevention

strategies and permission will be requested from the Cabanatuan City Police

Station (CCPS) to access crime records and reports for the relevant period. Data

will be anonymized to maintain confidentiality.

Figure 2. Map of Campo Tinio, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

Research Instrument

The study will use structured questionnaire to gather quantitative and

data, ensuring a thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of crime prevention

strategies in Campo Tinio, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

Data Analysis

The quantitative data will primarily come from the survey questionnaires

administered to community members. The data will be processed and analyzed

using statistical software (e.g., Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

(SPSS) , Excel)